Play Bridges Minds, Voices & Hearts: Autism, Early Years & the Power of Play
In this heartwarming and practical episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch, General Manager of Edx Education UK and author of Happy Children Play, early years inclusion specialist and advocate for neurodivergent children. Explore how play bridges communication, confidence, and connection for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodivergent profiles.Through real-life stories, laughter, and expert insights, Heather discusses how play becomes a second language helping children express themselves, build emotional regulation, and develop essential social and sensory skills. Parents and caregivers will find easy, sensory-friendly activities to try at home or in the classroom, including calming setups.Discover how to create inclusive environments, support transitions, and nurture each child’s unique strengths through play-based learning. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, this episode will inspire you to celebrate differences, embrace neurodiversity, and see the magic of play as a universal bridge between minds, voices, and hearts.
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Supporting Every Mind, Inclusive Learning for Neurodivergent Children
In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch, Author of Happy Children Play and General Manager UK at Edx Education, explores how we can make classrooms more inclusive for neurodivergent children including those with Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, Dyspraxia, and other diverse learning profiles.Heather shares practical strategies for creating sensory-friendly learning environments, using visual prompts, clear communication, and assistive technology like talk to text tools to support every learner. She also discusses how play can help children develop emotional regulation, confidence, and social understanding helping every child feel seen, valued, and empowered.Discover how small changes can make a big difference and how play can transform the way all children learn and belong.ahAiR19d9llvfVnGtYEo Because every child deserves to play, learn, and create in their own unique way.
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The Secret to Raising Creative, Confident Thinkers
As parents and caregivers, we all want children who can think for themselves creative, confident, and resilient problem-solvers. But how do we nurture these skills from an early age? In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch author of Happy Children Play and General Manager of Edx Education UK shares the secret: open ended play.Discover how toys like Rainbow Pebbles®, Pattern Blocks, Linking Cubes, and Sand & Water Play Sets encourage imagination, persistence, and problem-solving. Heather also offers five practical ways to teach children to think through choices, listening, exploration, experiments, and new experiences.Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this episode will inspire you to create opportunities for children to lead their own play, build resilience, and develop essential life skills.Play isn’t just fun it’s how children learn best.ahAiR19d9llvfVnGtYEo
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Beyond Movement, Supporting Children with Dyspraxia Through Play
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is often misunderstood as just a movement difficulty but it’s so much more. It can affect a child’s ability to organise, concentrate, write, plan, and even express their ideas clearly. These challenges can make everyday school life and home routines more stressful, impacting confidence, friendships, and emotional wellbeing.In this episode of Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, Heather Welch author of Happy Children Play and General Manager of Edx Education UK explores how dyspraxia influences children’s experiences both in and out of the classroom. Heather shares science backed strategies that parents, caregivers, and teachers can use right away, including visual checklists, scaffolded instructions, and supportive tools like keyboards or talk-to-text software for children who struggle with handwriting.This episode is packed with practical advice and insights to help every child with dyspraxia feel empowered, understood, and ready to thrive.
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Sensory Play for Neurodivergent Children with Edx Education
At Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education, we believe play isn’t just fun it’s essential, especially for neurodivergent children. In this episode, we explore why sensory play is a powerful, therapeutic tool for children with autism, ADHD, and other additional needs. From calming water trays to creative sand play, these simple setups help regulate emotions, build motor skills, improve focus, and support communication.We share how Edx Education’s sensory resources from our Sand & Water Trays to Multipurpose Trays are designed to create inclusive, stimulating environments at home or in the classroom. Tune in for practical tips on setting up sensory stations, encouraging self-led learning, and using everyday materials for play based development.Whether you're a parent, teacher, or carer, this episode is packed with ideas to support every child’s unique way of learning. Because at Edx Education, we know that play unlocks potential.
Play, Learn & create with Edx Education. This podcast series discusses play being creative and learning for all children. Join Heather Welch sharing knowledge, information and support on play based learning we will explore the benefits, value, different stages of play and so much more.
Play to the untrained eye can look meaningless, however there is a lot more going on than you can see. When children are playing, they are engaged, their imagination is sparked and they are developing confidence and key foundation skills. Play is the way children learn about the world and themselves especially in the early years.
We have spoken with many educational experts, founders of charities, award winning author, international presenters, expat parents and so many more.
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